U.S. patent application number 14/254061 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-04 for selection support apparatus and selection support method.
This patent application is currently assigned to BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Tatsuya ISHIKAWA, Hirotada IWADE.
Application Number | 20140357426 14/254061 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51985767 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140357426 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ISHIKAWA; Tatsuya ; et
al. |
December 4, 2014 |
SELECTION SUPPORT APPARATUS AND SELECTION SUPPORT METHOD
Abstract
A selection support apparatus acquires a plurality of types of
characteristic data representing a swing characteristic of a
testing golfer based on a test shot result of a golf club. The
apparatus determines a swing type of the testing golfer out of
swing types classified in advance based on at least one of the
plurality of types of characteristic data. The apparatus calculates
a recommended value for the testing golfer in association with a
characteristic value that characterizes a component of a golf club
based on at least one of the plurality of types of characteristic
data. The apparatus selects, based on the swing type of the testing
golfer, the recommended value, and component information
representing a correspondence between components, the swing types,
and the characteristic value, a recommended component from the
components listed in the component information.
Inventors: |
ISHIKAWA; Tatsuya;
(Chichibu-shi, JP) ; IWADE; Hirotada;
(Chichibu-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
BRIDGESTONE SPORTS CO.,
LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
51985767 |
Appl. No.: |
14/254061 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/20 20130101;
A63B 69/3632 20130101; A63B 2220/40 20130101; A63B 2225/50
20130101; A63B 2102/32 20151001; A63B 2220/833 20130101; A63B
2220/34 20130101; G06K 9/00536 20130101; G06K 9/00342 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/407 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36; A63B 59/00 20060101 A63B059/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2013 |
JP |
2013-116193 |
Claims
1. A selection support apparatus comprising: a characteristic data
acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of types of
characteristic data representing a swing characteristic of a
testing golfer based on a test shot result of a golf club; a
determination unit configured to determine a swing type of the
testing golfer out of swing types classified in advance based on at
least one of the plurality of types of characteristic data; a
calculation unit configured to calculate a recommended value for
the testing golfer in association with a characteristic value that
characterizes a component of a golf club based on at least one of
the plurality of types of characteristic data; and a selection unit
configured to select, based on the swing type of the testing
golfer, the recommended value, and component information
representing a correspondence between components, the swing types,
and the characteristic value, a recommended component from the
components listed in the component information.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a
specifying unit configured to specify a recommended golf club
including the recommended component selected by said selection
unit.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic
data used by said determination unit to determine the swing type of
the testing golfer and the characteristic data used by said
calculation unit to calculate the recommended value are of types
different from each other.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
types of characteristic data include a plurality of types out of
data representing an orientation of a face of a head at a time of
impact, data representing a change rate of a orientation of a face
with respect to a moving direction of a head within a head moving
range from an impact position to a position moved backward by a
predetermined distance, a head speed, a head track difference
between a backswing and a downswing, a head track difference
between a downswing and a follow swing, and a head track within a
head moving range from a impact position to a position moved
backward by a predetermined distance.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
types of characteristic data include data concerning at least one
of a head track difference between a backswing and a downswing and
a head track difference between a downswing and a follow swing, and
said determination unit is configured to determine the swing type
based on the data concerning the track difference.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
types of characteristic data include at least a head speed, and
said calculation unit is configured to calculate the recommended
value based on the head speed.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of
types of characteristic values include a plurality of types out of
a center-of-gravity angle of a head, a moment of inertia of a head,
a center-of-gravity distance of a head, a center-of-gravity depth
of a head, a center-of-gravity height of a head, a lie angle of a
head, a loft angle of a head, a head volume, a head weight, a
flexural rigidity of a shaft, a flexural rigidity distribution of a
shaft, a flex of a shaft, a torque of a shaft, and a weight of a
shaft.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic
value includes at least a flexural rigidity of a shaft.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said calculation
unit is configured to calculate the recommended value based on the
characteristic data, using .alpha. and .beta. as coefficients, by
recommended value=characteristic data.times..alpha.+.beta.
10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the coefficients
.alpha. and .beta. are set in accordance with the swing type.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said selection unit
is configured to select, as the recommended component, the
component corresponding to the swing type of the testing golfer and
having the characteristic value closest to the recommended
value.
12. A selection support method comprising: a characteristic data
acquisition step of acquiring a plurality of types of
characteristic data representing a swing characteristic of a
testing golfer based on a test shot result of a golf club; a
determination step of determining a swing type of the testing
golfer out of swing types classified in advance based on at least
one of the plurality of types of characteristic data; a calculation
step of calculating a recommended value for the testing golfer in
association with a characteristic value that characterizes a
component of a golf club based on at least one of the plurality of
types of characteristic data; and a selection step of selecting,
based on the swing type of the testing golfer, the recommended
value, and component information representing a correspondence
between components, the swing type, and the characteristic value, a
recommended component from the components listed in the component
information.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a selection support
technique for components of a golf club such as a head and a
shaft.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There has been a growing trend among golfers to desire golf
clubs more fitting to themselves. Particularly growing is the
tendency to want components such as a head and a shaft fitting to
the individuals on a component basis. To meet this requirement, for
example, methods of recommending a head or a shaft based on a test
shot result have been proposed. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
2012-110594 discloses a method of classifying swing types as a
premise of selection of a golf club fitting to a golfer.
[0005] There exist many types of components circulating in the
market, and it is sometimes difficult to narrow down components
fitting to a golfer only by classifying swing types. Hence, a
method capable of efficiently recommending a component fitting to a
golfer is demanded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
mechanism capable of efficiently recommending a component fitting
to a golfer.
[0007] According to the present invention, for example, there is
provided a selection support apparatus comprising: a characteristic
data acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of types of
characteristic data representing a swing characteristic of a
testing golfer based on a test shot result of a golf club; a
determination unit configured to determine a swing type of the
testing golfer out of swing types classified in advance based on at
least one of the plurality of types of characteristic data; a
calculation unit configured to calculate a recommended value for
the testing golfer in association with a characteristic value that
characterizes a component of a golf club based on at least one of
the plurality of types of characteristic data; and a selection unit
configured to select, based on the swing type of the testing
golfer, the recommended value, and component information
representing a correspondence between components, the swing types,
and the characteristic value, a recommended component from the
components listed in the component information.
[0008] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
(with reference to the attached drawings).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the arrangement of an
information distribution system representing an application example
of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2A is an explanatory view of the system shown in FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 2B is a flowchart showing an example of processing
executed by a selection support apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory views of examples of
characteristic data;
[0013] FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory views of an example of
characteristic data;
[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory views of an example of a
characteristic value;
[0015] FIG. 6A is a table showing an example of component
information;
[0016] FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of an example of swing type
classification;
[0017] FIG. 7A is an explanatory view of another example of swing
type classification;
[0018] FIG. 7B is a table showing another example of component
information;
[0019] FIG. 7C is an explanatory view of an example of a component
selection method; and
[0020] FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing other examples of
processing.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0021] FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the arrangement of an
information distribution system 100 to which a selection support
apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is
applied. The information distribution system 100 distributes
information about golf clubs using the selection support apparatus
1 as an information distribution server. The selection support
apparatus 1 can communicate with a portable terminal 4 or a
personal computer 5 via a network 2. The selection support
apparatus 1 receives a request from the portable terminal 4 or the
personal computer 5, and transmits information about golf clubs to
them. The network 2 is, for example, the Internet.
[0022] The selection support apparatus 1 is formed from, for
example, a general server computer, and includes a CPU 11, a
storage unit 12, and a communication interface 13. The storage unit
12 includes, for example, a RAM, a ROM, a hard disk, and the like.
The CPU 11 executes programs stored in the storage unit 12 and,
particularly, executes processing associated with selection support
of components of a golf club (to be described later). The
communication interface 13 is an interface configured to perform
data communication with another apparatus (for example, the
portable terminal 4 or personal computer 5) via the network 2.
[0023] The storage unit 12 stores component information 12a about
components of golf clubs. There are various types of golf clubs,
and examples are wood type golf clubs such as drivers, utility type
(hybrid type) golf clubs, iron type golf clubs, and putters.
Examples of components are a head, shaft, grip, and ferrule.
[0024] Note that the component information 12a may wholly or
partially be stored in a server 3 communicable via the network 2.
In this case, the selection support apparatus 1 can access the
server 3 via the network 2 and acquire the component information
12a.
[0025] The selection support apparatus 1 provides information of
components of golf clubs according to the swing characteristic of a
testing golfer based on the test shot results of golf clubs. A
system for measuring the swing characteristic can have any
arrangement. In this embodiment, measurement systems M1 and M2 will
be exemplified.
[0026] The measurement system M1 includes the portable terminal 4
and a sensor 41 and is suitable for a golfer to personally measure
the swing characteristic. The portable terminal 4 is, for example,
a smartphone, and has a short distance wireless communication
function for the sensor 41 and a wireless communication function
via the network 2. The sensor 41 is, for example, a 9-axis sensor
(three axes for acceleration, three axes for angular velocity, and
three axes for orientation) that is attached to a golf club 6 and
measures the three-dimensional behavior of it. The golf club 6
includes a head 61 and a shaft 62. The sensor 41 is attached to,
for example, the shaft 62. A golfer conducts a test shot session
using the golf club 6 with the sensor 41 in a driving range or the
like. The sensor 41 measures the behavior and transmits a plurality
of types of characteristic data as a measurement result to the
portable terminal 4. The portable terminal 4 directly holds the
received characteristic data or converts it to characteristic data
of a predetermined format processable on the side of the selection
support apparatus 1.
[0027] The measurement system M2 includes the personal computer 5
and a plurality of image capturing apparatuses 51 and is suitable
to measure the swing characteristic at a golf shop or the like. The
personal computer 5 has a function of processing images captured by
the image capturing apparatuses 51 and a wireless communication
function via the network 2. The image capturing apparatuses 51 are,
for example, video cameras. A golfer conducts a test shot session
using the golf club 6 in a test shot room or the like. In the test
shot room or the like, the plurality of image capturing apparatuses
51 capture the testing golfer from a number of directions and
capture the three-dimensional behavior of the golf club 6. The
captured images are received and analyzed by the personal computer
5 as characteristic data and converted into a plurality of types of
characteristic data of having a predetermined format processable on
the side of the selection support apparatus 1.
[0028] FIG. 2A is a view giving an outline of information exchange
in the information distribution system 100. The above-described
measurement system M1 or M2 measures characteristic data
representing the swing characteristic of a testing golfer based on
a test shot result of a golf club. The portable terminal 4 or the
personal computer 5 accesses, for example, a web page provided on
the network 2 by the selection support apparatus 1 and transmits
the measured characteristic data together with a request to provide
information of recommended components of a golf club. The selection
support apparatus 1 selects recommended components based on the
received characteristic data and transmits the information of the
components to the portable terminal 4 or the personal computer 5 of
the request source. The testing golfer can obtain, on the portable
terminal 4 or the personal computer 5, the information of the
components of the golf club according to his/her swing
characteristic. This can support the golfer in selecting
components.
[0029] FIG. 2B is a flowchart showing an example of selection
support processing executed by the CPU 11 of the selection support
apparatus 1. This processing starts upon receiving a recommended
component information providing request from the portable terminal
4 or the personal computer 5. In step S1, the CPU acquires a
plurality of types of characteristic data representing the swing
characteristic of a testing golfer. In this embodiment, the CPU
receives characteristic data transmitted from the portable terminal
4 or the personal computer 5 and thus acquires them.
[0030] Examples of the characteristic data are a head speed, swing
distance difference, swing angle difference, impact face angle,
head track in the impact zone, and face change rate in the impact
zone. The head speed is the speed of a head immediately before
impact, as is widely known, and can be the index of the swing
characteristic of a testing golfer associated with the capability
of gaining carry.
[0031] The swing distance difference and the swing angle difference
are characteristics associated with the head track during a swing.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory views of examples of these
characteristics. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, assume a virtual
three-dimensional space having a Y-axis set in the horizontal
direction along a target line direction, an X-axis set in the
horizontal direction perpendicular to the Y-axis, and a Z-axis set
in the vertical direction. Note that the coordinate axes may be set
by, for example, defining the moving direction of the head
immediately after take back as the Y-axis direction.
[0032] The swing distance difference can be defined as, for
example, a difference D1 between a track BS of the head 61 in a
backswing and a track DS of the head 61 in a downswing when the
track of the head 61 of the golf club 6 during a swing is projected
onto the Y-Z plane, as shown in FIG. 3A. The difference D1 is the
maximum distance difference in the Y direction. The larger the
difference D1 is, the larger the effect of power in a swing is.
Hence, the golfer tends to be a skilled player. In addition, the
head speed tends to be high.
[0033] The swing angle difference can be defined as, for example, a
difference D2 between an angle .theta.fs of a track FS of the head
61 in a follow swing with respect to the horizontal plane and an
angle .theta.ds of the track DS of the head 61 in a downswing with
respect to the horizontal plane when the track of the head 61 of
the golf club 6 during a swing is projected onto the X-Z plane, as
shown in FIG. 3B. The angle .theta.fs can be defined as, for
example, the angle of a line segment that connects an impact
position Y1 and the position of the head 61 moved forward from the
impact position Y1 by a predetermined distance in the Y direction
with respect to the horizontal plane. Similarly, the angle
.theta.ds can be defined as, for example, the angle of a line
segment that connects the impact position Y1 and the position of
the head 61 moved backward from the impact position Y1 by a
predetermined distance in the Y direction with respect to the
horizontal plane.
[0034] As the difference D2 becomes large to the positive side (as
the angle .theta.fs becomes large relative to the angle .theta.ds),
the shot tends to be a hook shot. To the contrary, as the
difference D2 becomes large to the negative side (as the angle
.theta.fs becomes small relative to the angle .theta.ds), the shot
tends to be a slice shot.
[0035] As described above, the swing distance difference and the
swing angle difference can be the indices of the swing
characteristic of a testing golfer. Note that the above-described
definitions of the swing distance difference and the swing angle
difference are merely examples, and can also be defined by another
criterion.
[0036] The impact face angle, the head track in the impact zone,
and the face change rate in the impact zone will be described next
with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. Note that the impact zone is the
head moving range from the impact position to a position moved
backward by a predetermined distance, and corresponds to the
section (for example, 50 cm) from the impact position Y1 to a
position Y2 backward along the target line, as shown in FIG.
3A.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4A, the impact face angle indicates the
orientation of a face 61a of the head 61 at the impact position Y1,
and is defined as an angle .theta.fa made by the X direction and
the face 61a on the X-Y plane in this case. The angle .theta.fa can
be regarded as 0 at the time of, for example, address. The larger
the impact face angle is, the lower the face control capability of
the testing golfer tends to be.
[0038] The head track in the impact zone indicates a moving
direction d of the head 61 in the impact zone and is represented
by, in this case, an angle .theta.h made by the Y direction and the
moving direction of the head 61 on the X-Y plane. The moving
direction of the head 61 can be defined as, for example, a
direction in which the impact position Y1 and the position of the
head 61 at the position Y2 are connected. The larger the angle
.theta.h is, the stronger the outside-in or inside-out tendency
is.
[0039] The face change rate in the impact zone indicates the change
rate of the orientation of the face 61a with respect to the moving
direction d of the head 61 in the impact zone. First, an
orientation D3 of the face 61a with respect to the moving direction
d of the head 61 is defined as D3=.theta.fa-.theta.h. The
orientations D3 are calculated at a plurality of positions of the
impact zone and plotted on a coordinate plane whose coordinate axes
represent the orientation D3 and the position of the head 61 in the
Y direction, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4B. The slope of an
approximate line K indicates the face change rate. The higher the
face change rate is, the more frequently face rotation tends to
occur.
[0040] As described above, the impact face angle, the head track in
the impact zone, and the face change rate in the impact zone can be
the indices of the swing characteristic of a testing golfer.
[0041] Note that out of these characteristic data, characteristic
data that need to be calculated from measured values at the time of
test shot session, such as the face change rate in the impact zone,
can be calculated either on the side of the portable terminal 4 or
the personal computer 5 or on the side of the selection support
apparatus 1.
[0042] Referring back to FIG. 2B, in step S2, the CPU determines,
based on at least one of the plurality of types of characteristic
data acquired in step S1, the testing golfer's swing type out of
swing types classified in advance. In this embodiment, swing types
are classified into four types, and two types of evaluation
indices, the swing distance difference D1 and the swing angle
difference D2 are used.
[0043] FIG. 6B is an explanatory view of an example of
classification of the four swing types. In FIG. 6B, the swing
distance difference D1 is plotted along the abscissa, and the swing
angle difference D2 is plotted along the ordinate to form
two-dimensional coordinates which are divided into four regions Ra
to Rd to classify swing types into four types a to d.
[0044] For the swing type a in the region Ra, the swing distance
difference D1 is large, and the swing angle difference D2 is large
to the positive side. Hence, this is a swing type having a large
lag and resulting in a draw. For the swing type b in the region Rb,
the swing distance difference D1 is small, and the swing angle
difference D2 is large to the positive side. Hence, this is a swing
type having a small lag and resulting in a draw. For the swing type
c in the region Rc, the swing distance difference D1 is large, and
the swing angle difference D2 is large to the negative side. Hence,
this is a swing type having a large lag and resulting in a fade.
For the swing type d in the region Rd, the swing distance
difference D1 is small, and the swing angle difference D2 is large
to the negative side. Hence, this is a swing type having a small
lag and resulting in a fade.
[0045] As one concept, swing types in or close to the region Rd are
common to average golfers, and those in or close to the region Ra
are common to advanced players.
[0046] In the swing type determination of step S2, to which one of
the regions Ra to Rd a coordinate P defined by the swing distance
difference D1 and the swing angle difference D2 of the testing
golfer belongs is determined. In the example of FIG. 6B, since the
coordinate P belongs to the region Ra, the swing type of the
testing golfer is determined as a.
[0047] Referring back to FIG. 2B, in step S3, the CPU calculates
recommended values of the testing golfer in association with
characteristic values that characterize the components of a golf
club based on at least one of the plurality of types of
characteristic data acquired in step S1.
[0048] Examples of the characteristic values of a shaft are a
flexural rigidity, flexural rigidity distribution, flexural
rigidity ratio, flex, torque, and weight. The flexural rigidity is
the product of the Young's modulus of a shaft material and the
geometrical moment of inertia of the shaft. The flexural rigidity
distribution is data representing the flexural rigidity of each
portion of a shaft. The flexural rigidity ratio is the ratio of
flexural rigidities at different positions on a shaft. The flex
indicates the hardness of a shaft and is generally categorized
stepwise as S, R, X, and the like.
[0049] Examples of the characteristic values of a head are a
center-of-gravity angle, center-of-gravity distance,
center-of-gravity depth, center-of-gravity height, moment of
inertia, lie angle, loft angle, head volume, and head weight.
[0050] Some terms will be explained, although details are known
well. The center-of-gravity angle is the angle made by the vertical
direction and the face when a golf club is held to be rotatable
about its shaft that is supported horizontally. FIG. 5A is an
explanatory view. Referring to FIG. 5A, the center-of-gravity angle
is an angle .theta. made by the face 61a and a vertical broken line
S passing through a shaft axis L and a center-of-gravity position
CG of the head. As shown in FIG. 5A, when the face 61a is a curved
surface, a virtual plane in contact with the face center serves as
a reference. The center-of-gravity distance is represented by a
length L1 from the center-of-gravity position CG of the head to the
shaft axis L, as shown in FIG. 5A.
[0051] The center-of-gravity depth is represented by a length L2 of
a perpendicular V from the center-of-gravity position CG of the
head to the face 61a, as shown in FIG. 5B. When the face 61a is a
curved surface, a virtual plane in contact with the face center
serves as a reference. The center-of-gravity height is represented
by a distance L3 between the perpendicular V and the leading
edge.
[0052] The moment of inertia is the moment of inertia about the
axis passing through the center-of-gravity position CG of the head.
There are three different ways to set the axis. In this case, the
moment of inertia is set about a vertical axis concerning ease of
face rotation, unless otherwise specified.
[0053] In this embodiment, the characteristic data acquired in step
S1 are substituted into a predetermined formula, thereby
calculating the recommended values of the testing golfer in
association with the characteristic values. In this case, using
.alpha. and .beta. as coefficients, the recommended values are
calculated by
recommended value=characteristic data.times..alpha.+.beta. (1)
[0054] By this calculation method, the recommended values can be
obtained relatively easily.
[0055] A case where a shaft is defined as a selection target, and a
recommended shaft is selected based on flexural rigidity as a
characteristic value will be described. The flexural rigidity is
assumed to be that at a position 550 mm apart from the shaft end.
In this case, the head speed is used as characteristic data. Hence,
in this embodiment, characteristic data acquisition in step S1
corresponds to acquiring a head speed and characteristic data
(swing distance difference D1 and swing angle difference D2) to
determine the swing type. In this embodiment, characteristic data
used to calculate recommended values of characteristic values and
characteristic data used to determine the swing type are of types
different from each other. It is therefore possible to narrow down
recommended components from many angles and recommend a component
more fitting to a golfer.
[0056] Let H be the recommended value of the flexural rigidity. The
recommended value H can be calculated based on the relationship to
the head speed by, for example,
H(kgfm.sup.2)=head speed(m/s).times.0.15-2.5
[0057] This equation indicates that the higher the head speed is,
the higher the flexural rigidity of a shaft to be recommended
is.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 2B, in step S4, the CPU acquires the
component information 12a. In this embodiment, the component
information 12a is stored in the storage unit 12 and therefore read
out from the storage unit 12. FIG. 6A is a conceptual view showing
an example of the component information 12a. In the example of FIG.
6A, seven shaft types A to G are assumed, and their correspondences
with swing types a to d suitable for them and the flexural
rigidities (position 550 mm apart from the shaft end) as
characteristic values are shown. For example, in the shaft A, the
suitable swing type is a, and the flexural rigidity is 3.2
(kgfm.sup.2).
[0059] Referring back to FIG. 2B, in step S5, a recommended shaft
is selected from the components (shafts A to G) listed in the
component information 12a based on the swing type of the testing
golfer determined in step S2, the recommended value H calculated in
step S3, and the component information 12a acquired in step S4.
[0060] When selecting a recommended shaft, the swing type of the
testing golfer and the characteristic value (flexural rigidity) of
a shaft are used as a reference. This makes it possible to easily
narrow down shafts and also recommend a more fitting shaft to the
golfer who is the testing golfer. Hence, a component fitting to a
golfer can be recommended efficiently.
[0061] In this embodiment, shafts corresponding to the swing type
of the testing golfer are selected first. Then, a shaft having a
characteristic value closest to the recommended value H is selected
as a recommended shaft. For example, when the swing type of the
testing golfer is determined as a, the recommended shafts are
narrowed down to the shafts A to C out of the shafts shown in FIG.
6A. When the recommended value H of the testing golfer is 4.2, the
shaft B is selected as the recommended shaft.
[0062] Note that although one component is recommended in this
embodiment, a plurality of components may be recommended. For
example, top-two components may be selected.
[0063] Referring back to FIG. 2B, in step S6, the selection result
in step S5 is output. In this embodiment, the selection result is
transmitted to the portable terminal 4 or the personal computer 5
of the recommended component request source. Information to be
transmitted may include not only information (for example,
component name and maker) that specifies a recommended component
but also its characteristic values and the like. The swing type of
the testing golfer determined in step S2 or the recommended value
calculated in step S3 may also be included.
[0064] Processing of one unit thus ends. The golfer (testing
golfer) who has requested recommended component selection is given
the information of a component fitting to him/her.
[0065] Note that in this embodiment, a server-client system
including the selection support apparatus 1 as a server and the
portable terminal 4 and the personal computer 5 as clients has been
described. However, a standalone system may be formed by imparting
the functions of the selection support apparatus 1 to the portable
terminal 4 or the personal computer 5. In this case, the portable
terminal 4 or the personal computer 5 executes the same processing
as that shown in FIG. 2B. More specifically, characteristic data
acquisition in step S1 is, for example, characteristic data
(measurement data) acquisition from the sensor 41 or the image
capturing apparatus 51. Result output in step S6 is, for example,
displayed by the display panel of the portable terminal 4 or the
personal computer 5. The component information 12a can also be
stored in the portable terminal 4 or the personal computer 5.
However, a form that acquires the component information 12a from
the server 3 can also be employed.
[0066] In this embodiment, a case where a shaft is selected has
mainly been exemplified. However, another component such as a head
can also be selected in accordance with the same procedure as
described above, as a matter of course. Recommended components can
be presented for not only one type of component but also a
plurality of types of components (for example, head and shaft). The
recommended value H is calculated from one type of characteristic
data (head speed). However, one recommended value may be calculated
from a plurality of types of characteristic data.
Second Embodiment
[0067] In the first embodiment, the swing types of testing golfers
are classified into four types based on two types of evaluation
indices (swing distance difference D1 and swing angle difference
D2). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For
example, the swing types may be classified into two types based on
one type of evaluation index.
[0068] When calculating the recommended value, the coefficients of
the formula may individually be set in accordance with the swing
type. Furthermore, a recommended component may be selected from the
recommended values of a plurality of types of characteristic
values. These examples will be described below.
[0069] FIGS. 7A to 7C are an explanatory view of an example of
swing type classification according to this embodiment, a table
showing component information, and an explanatory view of an
example of a component selection method, respectively.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 7A, in this embodiment, the coordinates are
divided into two regions Re and Rf to classify swing types into two
types e and f based on a swing angle difference D2. The example of
FIG. 7A indicates a coordinate P representing that the swing angle
difference D2 of a testing golfer belongs to the region Re. In
swing type determination, the swing type of the testing golfer is
determined as e. Note that when the swing angle difference D2 is 0,
the swing type is e.
[0071] Next, the recommended value of the testing golfer in
association with a plurality of types of characteristic values is
calculated. A case where a recommended value H1 of the flexural
rigidity ratio and a recommended value H2 of the flexural rigidity
of a specific portion are calculated will be described. Assume that
flexural rigidity ratio=flexural rigidity at a position 300 mm
apart from the shaft end/flexural rigidity at a position 800 mm
apart from the shaft end. The flexural rigidity at the specific
portion is assumed to be that at a position 550 mm apart from the
shaft end, as in the first embodiment.
[0072] These recommended values can be calculated in accordance
with equation (1). Coefficients .alpha. and .beta. can be set in
accordance with the swing type.
[0073] For example, when the swing type is e,
flexural rigidity ratio: H1=swing distance difference
D1(mm).times..alpha.1e+.beta.1e
flexural rigidity: H2(kgfm.sup.2)=head speed
(m/s).times..alpha.2e+.beta.2e
When the swing type is f,
flexural rigidity ratio: H1=swing distance difference
D1(mm).times..alpha.1f+.beta.1f
flexural rigidity: H2(kgfm.sup.2)=head speed
(m/s).times..alpha.2f+.beta.2f
[0074] The values of the coefficients can be, for example,
.alpha.1e=1.5, .beta.1e=2.5, .alpha.2e=0.15, .beta.2e=-2.0,
.alpha.1f=1.3, .beta.1f=2.0, .alpha.2f=0.13, and .beta.2f=-2.5.
When the swing types are different, the characteristic values to be
recommended are different even if the head speeds or the swing
distance differences D1 are the same. In this way, the coefficients
.alpha. and .beta. are set in accordance with the swing type. This
makes it possible to calculate recommended values more fitting to a
golfer in accordance with the difference in the swing type.
[0075] Component information 12a is constituted as shown in, for
example, FIG. 7B. In the example of FIG. 7B, four shaft types A to
D are assumed, and their correspondences with the flexural rigidity
ratio and the flexural rigidity as characteristic values are shown.
For example, in the shaft A, the flexural rigidity ratio is 3.0,
and the flexural rigidity is 5.5 (kgfm.sup.2).
[0076] Next, a recommended shaft is selected from the components
(shafts A to D) listed in the component information 12a based on
the calculated recommended values H1 and H2 and the component
information 12a. When selecting a recommended shaft, a plurality of
characteristic values (flexural rigidity ratio and flexural
rigidity) of a shaft are used as a reference. This makes it
possible to easily narrow down shafts and also recommend a more
fitting shaft to the golfer who is the testing golfer.
[0077] In this embodiment, a shaft having characteristic values
closest to the recommended values H1 and H2 is selected as a
recommended shaft. The closeness of characteristic values can be
discriminated using, as a reference, a distance on multidimensional
coordinates with characteristic values plotted along the coordinate
axes. Conceptually speaking, recommended components defined by the
recommended values are plotted, and components are also plotted.
The distances between them are calculated. FIG. 7C shows an
example.
[0078] The example of FIG. 7C shows two-dimensional coordinates
whose coordinate axes represent the flexural rigidity ratio and the
flexural rigidity. The position of a point P is decided by the
recommended values H1 and H2. Points A to D represent the shafts A
to D recorded in the component information 12a, and their positions
are decided by the characteristic values recorded in the component
information 12a. The distances between the point P and the shafts A
to D are indicated by La to Ld, respectively. A shaft corresponding
to the shortest one of the distances La to Ld is selected as a
recommended shaft. In the example of FIG. 7C, the shaft A is
selected. In the above-described way, a shaft having characteristic
values closest to the recommended values H1 and H2 can be selected
as a recommended shaft. A shaft close to a plurality of types of
characteristic values in general can be selected as a recommended
shaft.
[0079] Note that although one component is recommended in this
embodiment, a plurality of components may be recommended. For
example, top-two components may be selected.
[0080] The formula used to calculate the distance of each component
in the component information 12a from a characteristic value can be
set based on the Pythagorean theorem as, for example,
distance= [{(characteristic value 1-recommended value
1)/.gamma.}.sup.2+{(characteristic value 2-recommended value
2)/.delta.}.sup.2]
where .gamma. and .delta. are weighting coefficients. To equally
handle the two types of characteristic values when calculating the
distance, for example, the values .gamma. and .delta. are adjusted.
Conversely, priority can be given to some types of characteristic
values by setting .gamma. and .delta..
Third Embodiment
[0081] In the first embodiment, a recommended component of a golf
club is selected. However, an arrangement for selecting a
recommended golf club including a selected recommended component
and presenting it to a golfer can also be employed.
[0082] FIG. 8A is a flowchart showing an example of selection
support processing executed by a CPU 11 of a selection support
apparatus 1 when presenting a recommended golf club. The processes
of steps S11 to S15 are the same as in steps S1 to S5 of the
processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2B, and a
description thereof will be omitted.
[0083] In step S16, the CPU specifies a recommended golf club
including a recommended component selected in step S15. For
example, when a recommended shaft is selected in step S15, a head,
a grip, and the like to be combined with the recommended shaft are
selected, thereby specifying a recommended golf club. Other
components to be combined with the recommended component selected
in step S15 may be defined in component information 12a and
selected. For example, shaft types and heads corresponding to them
can be defined in the component information 12a, and a head
corresponding to a recommended shaft can be selected.
Alternatively, shaft types and commercially available golf clubs
including them may be defined in the component information 12a, and
a commercially available golf club corresponding to a recommended
shaft may be selected. In this case, one or a plurality of
recommended golf clubs can be selected.
[0084] In step S17, the selection results in steps S15 and S16 are
output. As in the processing of step S6 of the first embodiment,
the selection results can be transmitted to a portable terminal 4
or a personal computer 5 of the request source.
Fourth Embodiment
[0085] In the processing example shown in FIG. 8A, a recommended
component is selected for one component in accordance with the same
procedure as in the first embodiment, and other components are
selected based on the selected recommended component. However,
recommended components may be selected for a plurality of
components in accordance with the same procedure as in the first
embodiment. FIG. 8B is a flowchart showing an example of selection
support processing executed by a CPU 11 of a selection support
apparatus 1. Assume a case where a recommended shaft is selected,
and a recommended head is then selected. An arrangement for
selecting recommended components for all components can also be
employed.
[0086] The processes of steps S21 to S25 are the same as in steps
S1 to S5 of the processing of the first embodiment shown in FIG.
2B, and a recommended component is selected. First, a recommended
shaft is selected. In step S26, it is determined whether an
unselected component exists. Since a recommended head is
unselected, the process returns to step S24 to acquire component
information for heads and execute the same processing as described
above. In step S25, a recommended head is selected. In next step
S26, since selection of the recommended shaft and the recommended
head has ended, the process advances to step S27.
[0087] Note that in this embodiment, the recommended components are
selected one by one. However, a plurality of recommended components
(for example, recommended head and recommended shaft) may
simultaneously be selected by parallel processing.
[0088] In step S27, the CPU specifies a recommended golf club. In
this case, the CPU specifies a golf club including the recommended
shaft and the recommended head selected in step S25 as a
recommended golf club. To select other components such as a grip,
the same method as the selection method described concerning step
S16 of FIG. 8A can be employed, and a commercially available golf
club including the recommended shaft and the recommended head
selected in step S25 may be selected.
[0089] In step S28, the selection results in steps S25 and S27 are
output. As in the processing of step S6 of the first embodiment,
the selection results can be transmitted to a portable terminal 4
or a personal computer 5 of the request source.
Other Embodiments
[0090] The second embodiment can be combined with the third
embodiment or the fourth embodiment.
[0091] In the above-described embodiments, a recommended component
or a recommended golf club is presented to a golfer. However, the
selection support apparatus 1 may receive an order of purchase.
[0092] The selection support apparatus 1 can store and manage the
test shot results of a golfer. This allows the golfer to compare
past test shot results with a current test shot result or compare
past recommended components or recommended golf clubs with a
current recommended component or recommended golf club.
[0093] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0094] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2013-116193, filed May 31, 2013, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
* * * * *